We have an inactivity epidemic. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “Physical inactivity is the fourth leading risk factor for all global deaths, with 31% of the world’s population not physically active” (WHO 2011a). Physical inactivity is associated with 6% of deaths globally—behind only high blood pressure (13%), tobacco use (9%) and high blood glucose (6%) (WHO 2012; WHO 2011b). A 2009 WHO study found that physical inactivity was the leading cause of death in the United States.

Recently I had the opportunity to do some stealth field research. A local personal training facility hosted a “bring a friend” promotional week. My friend invited me and another guest to join her weekly 30-minute session. newsletter_teaser: Recently I had the opportunity to do some stealth field research. A local personal training facility hosted a “bring a friend” promotional week. My friend invited me and another guest to join her weekly 30-minute session.

When you’re coaching clients for fat loss, face-to-face interaction isn’t mandatory. According to research published in The New England Journal of Medicine (doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1108660), telephone interventions are as effective as in-person meetings. The 24-month study included 415 obese individuals with a mean age of 54 years. “One intervention provided patients with weight loss support remotely—through the telephone, a study-specific website, and e-mail,” the study authors explained.

Humdrum doesn’t cut it in a crowded market. However, exceed people’s expectations and word spreads. Learn how to target your training for phenomenal results at the 2012 IDEA Personal Trainer Institute™. Find out all the latest programming, equipment and business ideas from the world’s leading personal training professionals.newsletter_teaser: Humdrum doesn’t cut it in a crowded market. However, exceed people’s expectations and word spreads. Learn how to target your training for phenomenal results at the 2012 IDEA Personal Trainer Institute™. Find out all the latest programming, equipment and business

One of the best sales lessons I ever learned came from watching an amateur 10K race from the finish line. The winning runners made excellent times, easily cruising across the finish line while barely breaking a sweat. The next group had obviously undertrained and overpushed, stumbling to the race’s end flushed and sometimes physically ill. Last were those who clearly embraced the joys of strolling and socializing, but who seemed unconcerned about how well they finished.newsletter_teaser: One of the best sales lessons I ever learned came from watching an amateur 10K race from the finish line. The winning runners made excellent times,

Teaching clients to calm their minds during movement is essential to helping them fight stress and achieve their wellness goals. We must not underestimate how much our clients suffer from stress. Sure, it distracts them during training sessions, but it also infects every facet of their daily lives. Fortunately, time-tested yoga techniques for developing mindfulness and flow can help clients focus on their fitness goals and cope with stress outside the gym.
Mindfulness and Going With the Flownewsletter_teaser: Teaching clients to calm their minds during movement is essential to helping them fight stress and achieve their wellness goals. We must not underestimate how much our clients suffer from stress. Sure, it distracts them during training sessions, but it also infects

Are your clients trying to increase their exercise activity? You may want to support them by providing specific daily feedback via technology channels. A study published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise (2011; 43 [8], 1568–74) reports that overweight adults were more likely to stick to an exercise program when they received real-time feedback on their progress; for example, “Super job on the physical activity. Try to repeat this tomorrow.”

FFitness professionals often use success stories and client testimonials to strike an emotional chord with potential clients. Personal trainers who incorporate these elements into their pitches (often via “brag books”) may find them powerful during new-client interviews or business development meetings, according to Derrick Wilburn, MBA, IDEA presenter and director of education for Achieve Fitness USA (Wilburn 2010). But what if potential clients or business partners do their initial research about you over the Web?

When working with a personal training client, do you often espouse the many benefits of adopting healthy habits? According to a recent study, this may not be the best way of inspiring behavior change. The research, published in the American Journal of Public Health (2011; 101[4], 751–58), included information from 358 reports and 99,011 individuals. The goal of the report was to summarize best-practice interventions for increasing physical activity among apparently healthy adults.

world for years while working part-time as a group-exercise instructor. The long commutes to work and overtime hours she put in were beginning to take a toll on her spirit, body and family life. She sought me out and hired me as her coach and mentor to help her methodically and honestly delve into the possibility of quitting her job and starting her own in-home personal-training business as a sole proprietor. During our three-month coaching period, she did just that!